Katich, Bollinger prove Ashes fitness

Simon Katich and Doug Bollinger will be named in the Ashes squad on Monday after obeying selectors' orders and proving they have recovered from injury.

Katich has been sidelined with a thumb problem and Bollinger an abdominal strain, but both have returned to don the whites just in time in a welcome fillip for selectors just 12 days before the start of the Ashes series.

Katich's confident return at Coogee Oval was music to the ears of the national selection panel as they prepare to announce their highly anticipated squad to take on England.

Playing for Randwick-Petersham against Manly in Sydney grade cricket, Katich made 94 in his first match since picking up a fracture and ligament damage in his left thumb in a tour match during last month's tour of India.

Katich said this week he did not expect to get picked in the Test squad unless he could get some cricket under his belt and he responded with nine boundaries and two sixes in a 132-ball stay at the crease.

Katich now plans to turn out for NSW in Wednesday's Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania before the first Test against England starts at the Gabba on November 25.

"It's a handy score. It's good to spend time in the middle and score some runs," Katich said after his innings.

"The hand feels good.

"I've been training down at the SCG the last few days and there's been no problem batting.

"There were no real surprises, I pulled up okay and I'll be ready to go in next week's Shield match.

"There was never any doubt that I was going to be right for that game."

Bollinger meanwhile successfully completed two spells for Fairfield-Liverpool in its match against Northern District, finishing with 1 for 30 from 10 overs in his first outing since October 5.

Bollinger is likely to make a four-man pace attack in the Ashes squad alongside Johnson, Ben Hilfenhaus and Ryan Harris.

Peter Siddle, who showed reasonable form for Victoria against the Blues, could also be added if selectors announce an extended squad.

Katich, like most other pundits, is expecting an even contest when the first Test starts at the Gabba on November 25.

"England's got a well-balanced side and their preparation has been good," he said.